Dishwasher Failures, Expired Permits Cited In Restaurant Inspections

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Expired food permits, malfunctioning dishwashers, improper food storage, plumbing problems and sanitation issues were among the violations cited during recent inspections of six Fredericksburg-area food establishments.

The Rappahannock Area Health District inspections were conducted from Aug. 3-6. Inspectors documented violations ranging from missing handwashing supplies to food being discarded because of improper cooling and refrigeration.

Inspection reports reflect conditions observed at the time of the visit. In several cases, employees corrected violations during the inspection by discarding or relocating food, supplying handwashing materials, removing improperly stored items or switching to other equipment.

Aug. 3-5 Inspections

Sakura Japanese Steak & Seafood House
4540 Plank Road, Suite A, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Inspection date: Aug. 3

Inspectors found no disposable towels or soap at the kitchen's only handwashing sink; both were supplied during the inspection. Eight boxes of raw shrimp were found at the three-compartment sink at temperatures ranging from 66 to 71 degrees after being left out since about 11 p.m. the previous night. The shrimp was discarded, and proper thawing procedures were reviewed. Inspectors also cited dirty nonfood-contact surfaces on the fryer and refrigeration equipment, a leaking faucet at the three-compartment sink, ceiling tiles that were not smooth and easily cleanable, and grease dripping from eight cooking-area hood vents onto flat-top grills. The report said the grills were to be cleaned before use.

Jepson Alumni Executive Center
1119 Hanover St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Inspection date: Aug. 4

The operator could not provide documentation showing employees had been trained on the employee health policy and was instructed to email the records to inspectors. Inspectors also found water-damaged cabinet bases beneath the coffee station and areas around the handwashing sink guard and dishwasher drainboard that required sealing. A hose at the mop sink and the ice machine's water connection lacked adequate backflow protection. The three-compartment sink was directly connected to the sanitary disposal system rather than having the required indirect connection. The establishment's permit also was not posted where the public could see it. The facility was not operating during the inspection. Food prepared in the main kitchen is transported there for holding and storage, according to the report.

La Bella Pizza
2601 Salem Church Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Inspection date: Aug. 5

Inspectors found a sanitizer bucket stored in a handwashing sink in the service area. An employee moved the bucket during the inspection. Another employee wearing disposable gloves wiped the gloves on a towel hanging from an apron and then touched ready-to-eat garlic knots. The employee discarded the garlic knots, removed the gloves, washed their hands and put on new gloves. Inspectors also found tongs stored on an oven handle where they could be exposed to contamination; the utensils were removed for cleaning. Two wooden pizza paddles were chipped and made from unsealed wood that was not smooth or easily cleanable, and replacement was discussed.

Paradise Diner
260 Warrenton Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Inspection date: Aug. 5

Paradise Diner was cited for numerous violations during a routine inspection conducted in conjunction with a complaint. Inspectors found raw egg batter stored above cooked potatoes, shell eggs above bread and raw salmon above boxed produce. The raw foods were relocated. The low-temperature dishwasher was sanitizing at 25 parts per million and about 114-116 degrees and was not properly sanitizing equipment. The operator was directed to use the three-compartment sink and have the dishwasher serviced. Inspectors also found soiled plates and a bowl, along with two dirty microwave ovens.

Chicken gravy at 47 degrees and marinara sauce at 55 degrees had been placed in deep containers in the walk-in cooler after being removed from hot wells the previous night. Both were discarded. Milk, sour cream and cheesecake that had been held overnight above required cold-holding temperatures also were discarded. Inspectors found unapproved indoor pest-control devices, which were removed.

The report also cited improper cooling practices, scratched cutting boards, sinks that were not properly sealed to the wall, refrigeration equipment unable to maintain food at 41 degrees or below, broken thermometers, encrusted debris on equipment and a clogged drain beneath the dishwasher and three-compartment sink. Wastewater flowed onto the floor while the dishwasher was running and was mopped up during the inspection. Walls, floors, ceilings, plumbing areas and other physical facilities also needed cleaning or repair.

Inspectors said the diner was operating without a valid food permit, which had expired Jan. 31, 2025. The owner was given an invoice and renewal application and told to submit the fees and application within 48 hours to prevent further enforcement action.

Aug. 6 Inspections

Himalayan Heritage VA
10336 Spotsylvania Ave., Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Inspection date: Aug. 6

Inspectors reported no designated person in charge was present when they arrived; one arrived about 15 minutes later. The inspection cited management issues involving sanitizing equipment, receiving food from approved sources and maintaining safe food temperatures. The operator could not provide a verifiable employee health policy or written procedures for cleaning up bodily-fluid incidents. A front-of-house handwashing sink was blocked by beverage boxes, which were moved during the inspection. Inspectors also found raw chicken stored in grocery bags above frozen lamb and buffalo, including an icicle of raw chicken juice hanging from one bag.

Two soiled containers were in direct contact with cut onions and peppers. The food was discarded and the containers taken for washing. Inspectors cited improper sanitizing procedures for large pots and pans, a soiled fryer basket and microwave, inadequate cleaning procedures between different types of raw animal food at a prep sink and a naan bread pillow that was not being cleaned frequently enough. The chemical dishwasher measured 10 parts per million and 104 degrees after four cycles; inspectors directed the restaurant to use the three-compartment sink until the dishwasher was repaired. The interior of the ice machine also was soiled.

Cooked chicken gizzards, pork, goat and chicken that had been improperly cooled overnight were discarded, as were sliced tomatoes and a milk dessert held above required temperatures. Unlabeled containers of bleach and dish soap were labeled during the inspection, lighters were moved away from food preparation areas and inspectors found two unapproved pest-control devices. Five bags of cooked meats that had been improperly cooled also were discarded. Inspectors found raw chicken thawing in standing water at 64-68 degrees and directed an employee to begin cooking it.

Other violations included unlabeled spice containers, uncovered food, employees without hair restraints, an ice scoop stored on a soiled freezer, clean utensils stored in soiled locations, reuse of single-use spice containers, heavily scored cutting boards and equipment in poor repair. The walk-in cooler was dripping water, a tandoor oven was cracked and a cooler gasket was torn. Inspectors also cited dirty nonfood-contact surfaces, dirty walls, floors and ceilings and the lack of an alarm to warn when dishwasher detergent or sanitizer was not being delivered.

The inspection report said Himalayan Heritage also was operating with an expired food permit. Inspectors provided an invoice and permit renewal application.

Bickford of Spotsylvania
5000 Spotsylvania Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Inspection date: Aug. 6

Inspectors found a heavily soiled microwave and numerous foods held above the required cold-holding temperature in an overfilled three-door reach-in cooler. Cottage cheese was at 44 degrees, shredded mozzarella at 53 degrees, sour cream at 46 degrees, half-and-half at 48 degrees, raw ground beef at 47 degrees, shaved corned beef at 46 degrees, another cut of raw beef at 45 degrees and raw bacon at 44 degrees. The person in charge discarded the affected foods. After food was removed from the overfilled cooler, its temperature dropped from 48 to 39 degrees.

Inspectors also found an improperly calibrated food thermometer, which was calibrated during the inspection, and an employee preparing food without a beard restraint; the employee put one on. Nonfood-contact surfaces including cooking equipment, refrigeration equipment, a juice machine, baking rack, plate warmer, shelving and a fan needed cleaning, as did walls, floors, floor drains, ceilings and air vents.

About The Reports

Restaurant inspections are conducted by Rappahannock Area Health District public health officials to help ensure compliance with Virginia food safety regulations. Inspection reports reflect conditions observed at the time of the inspection. Many violations are corrected before the inspection concludes and do not necessarily represent ongoing conditions.

This report includes only Fredericksburg-area establishments inspected between Aug. 3 and Aug. 6, 2026, that were cited for one or more health code violations. Establishments with no violations and duplicate inspection reports were omitted.

Also See ...

• Missing Hand Sink, Leaking Plumbing Cited In Fredericksburg
• Low Hot Water, Refrigeration Problems Cited In Fredericksburg
• Inspectors Flag Plumbing, Handwashing And Sanitation Issues In Fredericksburg